"The suspect was on the transformer and grabbed one of the live wires," said Dallas Police Senior Cpl. Gerry Monreal, who noted that authorities arrived to find several wires cut and on the ground.
The pole carried about 7,000 volts, Oncor Electric Delivery spokeswoman Carol Peters said.
Power was turned off to the pole during the rescue and was later restored to the neighborhood, Peters said. A standard utility pole is about 40 feet high, she said.
McKay was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas with third-degree burns on about half of his body, said Dallas Fire-Rescue spokeswoman Sherrie Lopez. He was in critical condition, said hospital spokeswoman Charise Thomason.
McKay apparently was trying to steal copper wire, Police Sgt. Richard Santiesteban said. He is under arrest on a felony charge of criminal mischief, Monreal said. The count carries a term of two to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Copper thefts have increased across the nation as the salvage price for the metal has gone up sharply in recent years. Thieves typically target power cable, pipes, gutters and salvage yards.
